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Abstract:

Provided is a sample packing device for packing a sample with respect to
a microchip for performing reaction of a micro component contained in the
sample, the microchip at least including: a sample reservoir; a reaction
reservoir; and a channel connected between the sample reservoir and the
reaction reservoir, in which a package including a sample chamber packed
in advance with the sample is mounted on the microchip so as to pack the
sample in the sample chamber into the sample reservoir.

Claims:

1. A sample packing device for packing a sample with respect to a
microchip for performing reaction of a micro component contained in the
sample, the microchip at least comprising: a sample reservoir; a reaction
reservoir; and a channel connected between the sample reservoir and the
reaction reservoir, wherein a package comprising a sample chamber packed
in advance with the sample is mounted on the microchip so as to pack the
sample in the sample chamber into the sample reservoir, the sample
chamber includes a film portion comprising an upper portion formed of an
elastic body, the upper portion being bendable by an applied pressure
from a medium, and the upper portion configured, in response to the upper
portion being bent from the applied pressure, to extrude the sample in
the sample chamber to an outside of the sample chamber.

2. A sample packing device according to claim 1, wherein: the sample
reservoir provided to the microchip comprises a protrusion portion on an
upper surface so as to come into contact with the bottom portion of the
sample chamber; and the protrusion portion breaks the portion to be
broken by the physical force applied from the outside when the package is
mounted on the microchip.

3. A sample packing device according to claim 1, wherein: when the
package is mounted on the microchip, a gap portion is formed between the
sample chamber and the sample reservoir; and when the sample in the
sample chamber flows out by breaking of the portion to be broken, a part
of the flown-out sample flows into the gap portion by capillarity so as
to upwardly extrude the medium, which is mixed into a vicinity of the
portion to be broken.

4. A sample packing device according to claim 3, wherein the sample
chamber comprises a seal portion around an upper portion so as to seal
the gap portion so that the sample is prevented from leaking to the
outside when the sample in the sample chamber flows into the sample
reservoir.

5. A sample packing device according to claim 4, wherein, by the seal
portion, the sample in the sample reservoir flows into the channel
without causing the medium to be mixed in the sample.

6. A sample packing device according to claim 5, wherein the sample
flowing into the channel is guided into the reaction reservoir so that a
micro component contained in the sample is subject to reaction and
analysis.

7. A sample packing device according to claim 1, wherein, between the
sample chamber and the sample reservoir, a space portion having a
container shape for accumulating the medium is provided.

8. A sample packing device according to claim 1, wherein: the package
comprises a plurality of sample chambers continuously provided thereto;
the microchip comprises a plurality of sample reservoirs continuously
provided thereto; and an interval between the plurality of sample
chambers continuously provided to the package is equal to an interval
between the plurality of sample reservoirs continuously provided to the
microchip.

9. A microchip, wherein the sample packing device according to claim 1 is
mounted thereon.

10. A sample processing device for a microchip, wherein the microchip
according to claim 9 is installed therein.

11. A sample packing device according to claim 1, wherein: the sample
chamber comprises a portion to be broken in a bottom portion; and the
portion to be broken is broken by a physical force applied from an
outside when the package is mounted on the microchip so that the sample
in the sample chamber flows into the sample reservoir provided to the
microchip.

12. A sample packing device for packing a sample with respect to a
microchip for performing reaction of a micro component contained in the
sample, the microchip at least comprising: a sample reservoir (52a); a
reaction reservoir (52d); a channel connecting the sample reservoir and
the reaction reservoir; and a package (100) comprising a sample chamber
(101a) packed in advance with the sample, the package mounted on the
microchip so as to pack the sample in the sample chamber into the sample
reservoir, the sample chamber including a film (103) sealed to an upper
portion of the sample chamber at a seal portion (107), the film sealing
the sample within the sample chamber, the film portion formed of an
elastic body, the seal portion (107) resting on an upper surface of the
sample reservoir (52a), the upper portion bendable by an applied pressure
from a medium acting on the seal portion (107), and the upper portion
configured, in response to the upper portion being bent downward from the
applied pressure, to extrude the sample from inside the sample chamber to
outside the sample chamber.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
12/677,471 filed on Mar. 10, 2010, which is the U.S.C. 371 national stage
of International Application PCT/JP2008/066478 filed on Sep. 5, 2008,
which claims foreign priority to Japanese Application No. 2007-234163
filed on Sep. 10, 2007. The entire contents of each of the
above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

SAMPLE PACKING DEVICE

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a sample packing device for injecting a
sample into a microchip including a plurality of reaction reservoirs and
sample reservoirs which are used for gene analysis or the like, and, in
addition, which are connected to each other through a micro channel.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] In recent years, as described in "Biochemical/Micro Chemical
Analysis Systems" (Non-patent Document 1) written by Shuichi Shoji at
Waseda University, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication
(JP-A) No. 2007-101200 (Patent Document 2), in a microchip, a
lab-on-a-chip, a micro reactor, a micro-fluidic chip, and a chip called a
cartridge for chemical reaction in which a packing container and a micro
channel are provided on one chip, various liquid-delivering mechanisms
and methods for delivering and reacting a sample and a liquid sample so
as to analyze a gene has been studied.

[0006] According to Non-patent Document 1 described above, "a conceptual
view of a system integrated on one substrate includes a pump, which
controls a sample-introducing mechanism, a carrier solution, and a flow
of the sample, a mix/reaction equipment with a reagent, a
component-separating portion, and a sensor portion. There is proposed a
microchip as a hybrid-type system, which micronizes each component, forms
the channel therein, arranges each component on a substrate, and connects
each component through an O-ring or the like". In addition, introduction
of the sample required for analysis on the microchip is performed through
an exterior micro pump.

[0007] Further, according to Patent Document 2 described above, as "a
sample-containing portion receiving the sample from outside in a chemical
reaction cartridge, which delivers or seals a content for performing
chemical reaction by deformation when exterior force is applied", a
chemical reaction cartridge has been proposed. In addition, in Patent
Document 2 described above, there are described that, at a step of
injecting the sample at an initial stage, "the sample is injected through
an injection needle or the like".

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, the conventional technology in liquid delivery described
in Patent Document 1 described above includes a means for injecting the
sample from outside of the microchip through the micro pump or the like
into a sample reservoir in the microchip. As a result, a
liquid-delivering means, which is highly-accurately controlled outside of
microchip, is needed. Further, when an analysis step is changed, the
entire of the liquid-delivering means is needed to be cleaned and
interchanged. In addition, analysis of a micro sample needs a
micro-amount-liquid-delivering device of high accuracy, and hence there
is a problem in that high cost and a large installing space is needed.

[0009] Further, the chemical reaction cartridge described in Patent
Document 2 described above uses a means such as the injection needle as a
means for initially injecting a specimen and the sample. As a result,
miss caused by man of sample selection, sample injection and reagent
amount, air mix, or the like may be occurred, and mutual contamination
due to dipping reagent may be occurred.

[0010] Further, for a sample bottle or the like requiring refrigerant
storage, it is necessary to take out the sample bottle or the like from a
storage at each time, collect a necessary amount, and put back into the
storage, which adversely influences the sample due to temperature change.

[0011] Therefore, the preset invention has been made in view of the
problems in the above-mentioned conventional technology, and an object of
this invention is to provide a sample packing device capable of
eliminating occurrence of false injection by a worker, false in injecting
amount, and contamination of a sample, further capable of taking out and
injecting the sample by a required amount at an appropriate time from a
storing place, and including an easy mechanism, which is compactified and
inexpensive.

Means to Solve the Problem

[0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in a sample packing
device for packing a sample with respect to a microchip for performing
reaction of a micro component contained in the sample, the microchip at
least includes: a sample reservoir; a reaction reservoir; and a channel
connected between the sample reservoir and the reaction reservoir, in
which a package includes a sample chamber packed in advance with the
sample is mounted on the microchip so as to pack the sample in the sample
chamber into the sample reservoir.

Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to this invention, false manipulation of the kind and the
amount of samples by a worker can be prevented, and the work thereof is
simplified, the load of the worker is reduced, and productivity can be
increased. In addition, the sample amount is saved, the management state
is enhanced, and the analysis accuracy is enhanced due to high accuracy
of the delivering amount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0014]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a
structure of a sample-delivering mechanism of a microchip in an
embodiment of this invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a
mechanism of the microchip and a sample package in the embodiment of this
invention.

[0016]FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the
mechanism of the sample package in the embodiment of this invention.

[0017]FIG. 3B is a plan view illustrating the structure of the mechanism
of the sample package in the embodiment of this invention.

[0018]FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of the
sample package in the embodiment of this invention.

[0019]FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the
sample package in the embodiment of this invention.

[0020]FIG. 4c is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the
sample package in the embodiment of this invention.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sample package in
another embodiment of this invention.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sample package in
still another embodiment of this invention.

BEST MODE FOR EMBODYING THE INVENTION

[0023] In the following, embodiments in this invention are described in
detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a device
which uses a sample packing device (reagent-introducing mechanism) in
this invention, introduces the sample into a microchip, and reacts the
sample. Note that pneumatic circuit portions are indicated by logical
symbols based on JIS.

[0025] On a machine casing 1, a table 3 is provided through poles 2.
Further, in a table 3, a disposal hole 5 whose periphery is sealed by an
O-ring 6 is provided. The disposal hole 5 is connected to a disposal
reservoir 8 provided onto the machine casing 1 through a disposal
solenoid-controlled valve 7 and a tube 7a. In an upper surface of the
table 3, pins 10a and 10b corresponding to pin holes 55a and 55b provided
in a microchip 50 to serves as a guide to a predetermined position are
provided in a protruding manner. Further, on the table 3, through a hinge
9, there is provided, so as to be rotatable to the directions A and B, a
cover 20 having a fastening screw 25, pressurizing holes 22a, 22b, 22c,
22d, and 22e which pass through the cover 20 and is sealed by an O-ring
26 from the peripheries thereof, shutter pressurizing holes 23a, 23b,
23c, 23d, 23e, and 23f similarly sealed by O-ring 27 from the peripheries
thereof, and an air supplying hole 24 similarly sealed by the O-ring 27.
Further, in one end on the table 3, a screw hole 4 is provided at a
position corresponding to the fastening screw 25.

[0026] The pressurizing holes 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, and 22e which are
provided while passing through the cover 20 are electrically connected to
secondary sides of pressurizing solenoid-controlled valves 16a, 16b, 16c,
16d, and 16e through tubes 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, and 17e. Further, shutter
pressurizing holes 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e, and 23f are connected to
secondary sides of shutter solenoid-controlled valves 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d,
18e, and 18f through tubes 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e, and 19f. Further, the
air supply tube 24 is connected to the secondary side of an air supply
solenoid-controlled valve 28 through a tube 29. Primary sides of the
pressurizing solenoid-controlled valves 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e, the
shutter solenoid-controlled valves 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, and 18f, and
the air supply solenoid-controlled valve 28 are connected to a pressure
accumulator 11. Further, to the pressure accumulator 11, a pump 12 driven
by a motor 13 and a pressure sensor 14 for detecting inner pressure are
connected. On the table 3, there is provided a temperature adjusting unit
30 for controlling a predetermined portion of the microchip 50 from the
lower surface thereof to a predetermined temperature.

[0027] Meanwhile, to a controller 15 for executing a predetermined
program, there are connected, so as to operationally controlled, the
pressurizing solenoid-controlled valves 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e, the
disposal magnetic hole 7, the shutter solenoid-controlled valves 18a,
18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, and 18f, and the air supply solenoid-controlled valve
28. Further, to the controller 15, the motor 13 and the pressure sensor
14 are connected, the motor 13 driving the pump 12 so as to control the
pressure in the pressure accumulator 11 to a predetermined pressure, and
the pressure sensor 14 detecting the pressure in the pressure accumulator
11 to perform feedback. With the above-mentioned structure, due to
instructions from the controller 15, the pressure in the pressure
accumulator 11 is constantly kept in a predetermined pressure. Further,
in this structure, the temperature adjusting unit 30 is similarly
connected to the controller 15, to thereby perform a temperature control
programmed in advance.

[0028] Further, a sample package 100 is structured so that sample chambers
101a, 101b, and 101c having convex shapes are inserted into sample
reservoirs 52a, 52b, and 52c on a microchip 50. In addition, the
microchip 50 is structured so that pin holes 55a and 55b are guided into
pins 10a and 10b and is installed on a table 3 so as to be sandwiched by
a cover 20 with a fastening screw 25.

[0029]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating details of the sample
reservoir package 100 and the microchip 50, which illustrates an
embodiment of this invention.

[0030] The microchip 50 has a multi-layer structure, in which a main plate
51a, a second plate 51b, a third plate 51c, and a fourth plate 51d, each
being made of a flexible resin, are laminated together.

[0031] On the microchip, there are provided sample reservoirs 52a, 52b,
and 52c, which pass through the main plate 51a and the second plate 51b
to be formed into recessed shapes, and an air supply port 54. Further,
there are provided a reaction reservoir 52d, an extraction reservoir 52e,
and a PCR amplification reservoirs 58a, 58b, and 58c each passing through
the main plate 51a to be formed into recessed shapes. Further, on the
microchip 50, there are provided shutter ports 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d, 53e,
and 53f passing through the main plate 51a, the second plate 51b, and the
third plate 51c to be formed into recessed shapes. Further, a disposal
hole 56 is provided so as to pass through the second plate 51b, the third
plate 51c, and the fourth plate 51d to a lower direction.

[0032] Further, when the microchip 50 is installed on the table 3
illustrated in FIG. 1, and the cover 20 is rotated to a B direction, to
thereby sandwich the microchip 50 between the table 3 and the cover 20 by
the fastening screw 25 and the screw hole 4, the sample reservoirs 52a,
52b, and 52c, the reaction reservoir 52d, the extraction reservoir 52e,
and the shutter ports 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d, 53e, and 53f are installed at
positions corresponding to the pressurizing holes 22a, 22b, and 22c, the
pressurizing hole 22d, the pressurizing hole 22e, and the shutter
pressurizing holes 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e, and 23f, respectively.

[0033] Further, the sample reservoirs 52a, 52b, and 53c, the reaction
reservoir 52d, the extraction reservoirs 52e, PCR amplification
reservoirs 58a, 58b, and 58c, and the air supply port 54 are continuous
with each other through channels 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e, 61f, 61g, 61h,
and 61i formed between the main plate 51a and the second plate 51b.
Further, shutter ports 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d, 53e, and 53f are continuous
with shutter channels 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d, 62e, and 62f, respectively,
which are formed between the second plate 51b and the third plate 52c.
Further, leading ends thereof are provided so as to intersect the
channels 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e, 61f, 61g, 61h, and 61i through the
third plate 51c.

[0034] Further, the channels 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e, 61f, 61g, 61h, and
61i are formed by, when the second plate 51b and the third plate 51c to
be formed are bonded to each other, not bonding portions for the channels
and by keeping a separable state thereof. Similarly, the shutter channels
62a, 62b, 62c, 62d, 62e, and 62f are formed by, when the third plate 51c
and the fourth plate 51d to be formed are bonded to each other, not
bonding portions for the channels and by keeping the separable state
thereof.

[0035] Further, the second plate 51b and the third plate 51c inside the
recessed vessel of the reaction reservoir 52d and the extraction
reservoirs 52e are also not bonded to each other, to thereby be
continuous with the channels 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e, 61f, 61g, 61h, and
61i. Further, in an unbonded portion formed between the second plate 51b
and the third plate 51c inside the reaction reservoir 52d, an adsorption
member 60 for extracting a desired micro component is solid-phased.

[0036] With the above-mentioned structure, a controller 15 cause, in
accordance with a preset program, compressed air in a pressure
accumulator 11 to be supplied to pressurizing holes 22a, 22b, and 22c and
shutter-pressurizing holes 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e, and 23f of the cover
20 sequentially through pressurizing solenoid-controlled valves 16a, 16b,
16c, 16d, and 16e, a disposal solenoid-controlled valve 7, shutter
solenoid-controlled valves 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, and 18f, and an air
supply solenoid-controlled valve 28. Further, the compressed air is
applied to the sample reservoirs 52a, 52b, and 53c, a reaction reservoir
52d, an extraction reservoir 52e, PCR amplification reservoirs 58a, 58b,
and 58c, and an air supply port 54 of the microchip 50.

[0037] As a result, there is provided a mechanism in which the compressed
air is supplied to the upper side of the sample chambers 101a, 101b, and
101c having convex shapes of the sample package 100 inserted into the
sample reservoirs 52a, 52b, and 52c of the microchip 50 so that the
sample therein is delivered to the channels 61a, 61d, and 61c of the
microchip 50. Note that, the detailed control operation is not directly
related to a section of this invention, and hence the description thereof
is omitted.

[0038]FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sample package
100. FIG. 3B illustrates a view from the Z direction of FIG. 3A.

[0039] First, a structure of the sample package 100 is described with
reference to FIG. 3A.

[0040] The sample package 100 is provided with the sample chambers 101a,
101b, and 101c having the recessed shapes in the body plate 104. The
sample chambers 101a, 101b, and 101c are packed with samples 102a, 102b,
and 102c and sealed with a film 103 formed of an elastic body. In a
bottom portion of each of the sample chambers 101a, 101b, and 101c, there
is provided a portion to be broken 106 having a thin part and a
protrusion portion 105. Around each of the sample chambers 101a, 101b,
and 101c of the body plate 104, there is provided a seal portion 107
having a keen-cutter-shape.

[0041] Next, the structure of the sample package 100 is described with
reference to FIG. 3B. Here, FIG. 3B illustrates a part of the sample
package 100.

[0042] The seal portions 107, which are provided to the body plate 104 of
the sample package 100, are provided so as to surround the respective
sample chambers 101a, 101b, and 101c. In addition, each of the portions
to be broken 106 is provided so as to have a U-shape around the vicinity
of the protrusion portion 105. Further, by applying a physical force to
the protrusion portion 105 from the outside, the portions to be broken
106 are broken in such way that the portions to be broken 106 are forced
into the sample chambers 101a, 101b, and 101c, and the samples 102a,
102b, and 102c, which are packed in the sample chambers 101a, 101b, and
101c illustrated in FIG. 3A, are released to the outside.

[0043] Next, action upon sample introduction is described with reference
to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4c. FIG. 4A illustrates a state in which the microchip
50 is installed on the table 3, and, in addition, the sample chambers
101a, 101b, and 101c of the sample package 100 are inserted into the
sample reservoirs 52a, 52b, and 52c on the microchip 50. In this case,
the seal portion 107 and the protrusion portion 105 of the sample package
100 are held in contact with one end of the microchip 50.

[0044] Next, operation upon sample introduction is described with
reference to FIG. 4B.

[0045] When the sample package 100 is closed with the cover 20 from the
state of FIG. 4A, the sample package 100 is pressed to the C direction
due to an O-ring 26 provided to the cover 20. Further, the protrusion
portion 105 of the sample package 100 and the sample reservoirs 52a, 52b,
and 52c of the microchip 50 are both pressed to the C direction. As a
result, the sample chambers 101a, 101b, and 101c are further inserted
into the sample reservoirs 52a, 52b, and 52c, and the respective
protrusion portions 105 breaks the respective portion to be broken 106.
As a result, through the portions to be broken 106, the samples 102a,
102b, and 102c are released to the sample reservoirs 52a, 52b, and 52c.

[0046] Further, the seal portion 107 is also pressed against a main plate
51a formed of an elastic member constituting the microchip 50. The seal
portions 107 having cutter shapes bite in the main plate 51a, and seal
micro gaps 108, which are formed by the sample reservoirs 52a, 52b, and
52c and the sample chambers 101a, 101b, and 101c, from the outside. Parts
of the samples 102a, 102b, and 102c released into the sample reservoirs
52a, 52b, and 52c are caused to flow into the gap 108 due to capillarity.
With this, when the sample chambers 101a, 101b, and 101c are inserted
into the sample reservoirs 52a, 52b, and 52c on the microchip 50, a space
medium typified by air mixed into the vicinities of the portions to be
broken 106 are pushed up. As a result, the vicinities of the portions to
be broken 106 are packed with the samples 102a, 102b, and 102c.

[0047] In addition, subsequent operation is described with reference to
FIG. 4c.

[0048] In FIG. 4c, from the state of FIG. 4B, the compressed air is
applied through the pressurizing holes 22a, 22b, and 22c, which are
provided to the cover 20, to the D direction by the device and a control
means, which are described in FIG. 1. As a result, the films 103 formed
of the elastic body are deflected so that the samples 102a, 102b, and
102c are extruded through the portion to be broken 106 to the outside of
the sample chambers 101a, 101b, and 101c.

[0049] Further, the channels 61a, 61d, and 61e, which are provided between
a second plate 51b and a third plate 51c constituting the microchip 50 so
that parts of the channels 61a, 61d, and 61e not partially bonded, are
opened by the device and the control means described in FIG. 1. In
addition, the micro gaps 108 formed of the sample reservoirs 52a, 52b,
and 52c and the sample chambers 101a, 101b, and 101c are sealed with the
seal portions 107 on the upper side. That is, the samples 102a, 102b, and
102c are injected to the E direction of the microchip 50 through the
exclusively opened channels 61a, 61d, and 61e without causing the space
medium typified by air to be mixed therein.

[0051] In FIG. 5, in place of the film 103 illustrated in FIG. 3A, there
is provided a movable member 109 having a piston-shape, which seals an
inner wall of each of the sample chambers 101a, 101b, and 101c. When the
compressed air is applied to the D direction from the pressurizing holes
22a, 22b, and 22c, the movable members 109 extrudes the samples 102a,
102b, and 102c through the portions to be broken 106, and the same effect
as that described above is exerted. As described above, in this
invention, the kind of means for extruding the samples 102a, 102b, and
102c from the reagent chambers 101a, 101b, and 101c are not limited.

[0053] In FIG. 6, in place of the protrusion portion 105 illustrated in
FIG. 3A, a contacting surface of the microchip 50 is provided with a
convex protrusion portion 110. Also due to the convex protrusion portion
110, the same effect is obtained. As described above, in this invention,
the position, at which the convex protrusion portion is provided, is not
limited.

[0054] Further, though, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the gap portion
108 is described as one having an inserting gap-shape, the same effect is
obtained even with a container-shape having a capacity. That is, in this
invention, the shape of the gap portion 108 is not limited.

[0055] Further, though, the device and the control means of the
above-mentioned embodiments are described while using the compressed air,
the same effect is obtained even with another pressed medium (for
example, liquid, gel, and powder) or the like. As described above, in
this invention, the kind of the compressed medium is not limited.

[0056] Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the portion to be
broken 106 is described as one having the U-shape surrounding the
vicinity of the protrusion portion 105, the same effect is obtained even
with another shape such as a C-shape or a circular shape. As described
above, in this invention, the shape of the portion to be broken 106 is
not limited.

[0057] Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, though, in FIG. 4A to
FIG. 4c, the seal portion 107 having the keen cutter shape is provided to
the sample package 100, the same effect is obtained even if the seal
portion 107 is provided on the contacting surface of the microchip 50. As
described above, in this invention, the position, at which the seal
portion 107 is provided, is not limited.

[0058] Further, though, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as a means for
breaking the portion to be broken 106, the closing action of the cover 20
is used, the same effect is obtained even in insertion with manual
operation or another driving means. As described above, in this
invention, in this invention, the method of the means for breaking the
portion to be broken 106 is not limited.

[0059] As described above, in the embodiment of this invention, a
container packed with a predetermined amount of sample injected in
advance therein is packaged, and hence it is possible to prevent miss by
the worker and to efficiently use the sample due to easy work of
installing the container to a predetermined position on the microchip.
Further, a structure of keeping a storing state of a sample other than
the sample currently required is obtained.

[0060] Further, the upper surface of the package is sealed with the film
formed of the elastic member, and pressed medium is pressed and applied
after installation of the device. Thus, a structure of enhancing the
accuracy of the injecting amount is obtained.

[0061] Further, in the inside of the package, there is provided a movable
portion (pressing member) which is capable of moving, and pressed medium
is pressed and applied after installation of the device, and hence the
movable portion is caused to move. Thus, a structure of enhancing the
accuracy of the amount of sample injected into the inside of the package
is obtained.

[0062] Further, in the bottom portion of the package, there is provided
the portion to be broken formed of a weak material or mechanical weak
portion, and, on the lower surface of the container forming the package
or a receiving portion of the package of the microchip or both of the
lower surface of the container forming the package or a receiving portion
of the package of the microchip, there is provided a portion having the
convex shape so that the package receives locally the physical force when
the package is mounted on the microchip in order to promote breaking of
the portion to be broken. Thus, a structure of opening the sample by
breaking the portion to be broken with a little force is obtained.

[0063] Further, the gap portion when the package is mounted on the
microchip is structured so as to be micro gap, and hence, upon mounting,
the sample leaked due to breaking of a part of the bottom portion causes
the medium, which is typified by air entrapped to the gap portion, to be
upwardly pushed up due to capillarity. Thus, a structure of preventing
the medium from mixing into the channels, to which the sample is
injected, of the microchip is obtained.

[0064] Further, a seal portion (packing portion) is provided between the
package and the microchip so that the seal portion prevents leaking of
the pressed medium when the pressed medium is pressed and applied to the
package. Thus, a structure of enhancing the accuracy of injecting the
sample into the microchip is obtained.

[0065] Further, the gap portion when the package is mounted on the
microchip is set to be a form having such capacity that the medium, which
is typified by air entrapped to the gap portion, is allowed to be
accumulated. Thus, a structure of preventing the medium from mixing into
the channels of the microchip and promoting the injecting accuracy is
obtained.

[0066] Further, a plurality of sample chambers are packaged, and hence the
work of mounting the plurality of sample chambers to the microchip is
significantly simplified. Thus, a structure of promoting the efficiency
is obtained.

[0067] With the above-mentioned structure, in this embodiment, false
manipulation of the kind and the amount of samples by the worker can be
prevented, and the work thereof is simplified, the load of the worker is
reduced, and productivity can be increased.

[0068] In addition, there is no need to take out a sample-stocking bottle
and the like from a refrigerant storage, and hence the storing state of
the sample is improved.

[0069] In addition, recover of extra sample, which is required when the
sample is injected with an injector, a pipetter, or the like as in the
conventional case, is not required, and hence save of the expensive
sample is allowed.

[0070] In addition, in such way that the pressed medium is applied to the
upper portion of the package, and that the film portion formed of the
elastic body is deflected, it is possible to always deliver a sample of a
predetermined amount. It is possible to prevent miss or ununiformity by
the worker regarding the amount of the sample, and hence the accuracy of
the analysis is enhanced.

[0071] In addition, the pressed medium is applied to the upper portion of
the package, and the movable member (pressing member) which is capable of
moving in the package extrudes the sample. Thus, it is possible to always
deliver the sample of the predetermined amount. It is possible to prevent
miss or ununiformity by the worker regarding the amount of the sample,
and hence the accuracy of the analysis is enhanced.

[0072] In addition, it is possible that movement of the fixing means
operation or the like, which is performed when the package is mounted on
the microchip, is transferred to the package so that the portion to be
broken is broken and the sample packed therein is released into microchip
in an automatic or semi-automatic manner. Thus, the working efficiency
can be enhanced and the mutual contamination can be prevented.

[0073] In addition, it is possible that air remaining when the package is
mounted on the microchip is pushed up along the outer wall of the package
due to capillarity when the portion to be broken is broken and the sample
packed therein is released, and the air is mixed into the channels of the
microchip, which interfere with the analysis, is prevented. Thus, the
accuracy of the analysis can be enhanced.

[0074] In addition, the seal portion is provided between the package and
the microchip so as to prevent the pressed medium from leaking when the
pressed medium is applied to the upper portion of the package. Thus, it
is possible to efficiently deliver the sample to the microchip.

[0075] In addition, there is provided a space portion housing the medium,
which is typified by air remaining between the package and the microchip,
and hence it becomes easy to push up the air along the outer wall of the
package due to capillarity when the portion to be broken is broken and
the sample packed therein is released. Thus, the air is mixed into the
channels of the microchip, which interfere with the analysis, can be
prevented. As a result, the accuracy of the analysis can be enhanced.

[0076] In addition, one package is packed with the plurality of samples,
and hence it is possible to significantly reduce time period taken for
the worker to introduce the sample to the microchip, and to prevent loss
of the sample and mutual contamination of the samples.

[0077] As described above, in this invention, the sample packing device
for packing the sample with respect to the microchip for performing
reaction of the micro component contained in the sample, the microchip at
least including: a sample reservoir; a reaction reservoir; and a channel
connected between the sample reservoir and the reaction reservoir, is
characterized in that a package including a sample chamber packed in
advance with the sample is mounted on the microchip so as to pack the
sample in the sample chamber into the sample reservoir.

[0078] Preferably, the sample chamber provided to the package has a convex
shape, and the sample chamber is inserted into the sample reservoir
provided to the microchip so as to pack the sample in the sample chamber
into the sample reservoir.

[0079] Preferably, the sample chamber is formed of a film portion
including an upper portion formed of an elastic body, and a pressure
through a medium is applied from above so as to deflect the film portion
so that the sample in the sample chamber is extruded to an outside of the
sample chamber.

[0080] Preferably, the sample chamber includes a movable portion which is
capable of moving when a pressure through the medium is applied from
above, and the movable portion is caused to move in the sample chamber so
that the sample in the sample chamber is extruded to the outside of the
sample chamber.

[0081] Preferably, the sample chamber includes a portion to be broken in a
bottom portion thereof, the portion to be broken is broken due to a
physical force applied from the outside when the package is mounted on
the microchip so that the sample in the sample chamber flows into the
sample reservoir provided to the microchip.

[0082] Preferably, the sample chamber is provided with a protrusion
portion in a bottom portion thereof, and the protrusion portion breaks
the portion to be broken due to the physical force applied from the
outside when the package is mounted on the microchip.

[0083] Preferably, the sample reservoir provided to the microchip includes
a protrusion portion on an upper surface thereof so as to come into
contact with the bottom portion of the sample chamber, and the protrusion
portion breaks the portion to be broken due to the physical force applied
from the outside when the package is mounted on the microchip.

[0084] Preferably, when the package is mounted on the microchip, a gap
portion is formed between the sample chamber and the sample reservoir;
and when the sample in the sample chamber flows out due to breaking of
the portion to be broken, a part of the flown-out sample flows into the
gap portion due to capillarity so as to upwardly extrude the medium,
which is mixed into a vicinity of the portion to be broken.

[0085] Preferably, the sample chamber includes a seal portion around an
upper portion thereof so as to seal the gap portion so that the sample is
prevented from leaking to the outside when the sample in the sample
chamber flows into the sample reservoir.

[0086] Preferably, due to the seal portion, the sample in the sample
reservoir flows into the channel without causing the medium to be mixed
in the sample.

[0087] Preferably, the sample flowing into the channel is guided into the
reaction reservoir so that a micro component contained in the sample is
subject to reaction and analysis.

[0088] Preferably, between the sample chamber and the sample reservoir, a
space portion having a container shape for accumulating the medium is
provided.

[0089] Preferably, the package includes a plurality of sample chambers
continuously provided thereto. In addition, the microchip includes a
plurality of sample reservoirs continuously provided thereto; and an
interval between the plurality of sample chambers continuously provided
to the package is equal to an interval between the plurality of sample
reservoirs continuously provided to the microchip.

[0090] In the foregoing, though this invention is specifically described
according to the embodiments of this invention, this invention is not
limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. It is needless to say that
various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of
this invention, and those modifications are also enclosed in this
application.